Nine consecutive victories. The Patriots just went into the jungle in Cincinnati and came out with a hard-fought 26-20 win over the Bengals, and if this game proved anything, it's that this team knows how to win ugly. Not every game is going to be a masterpiece, and that's perfectly fine when you're 9-0 in your last nine.
Drake Maye didn't need to be spectacular today — he just needed to be smart, and that's exactly what he was. The offense generated 341 total yards, converted 7 of 14 third downs, and most importantly, dominated time of possession at 34:18. When you hold the ball for that long, you're keeping Burrow and the Bengals offense on the sideline, and that's exactly how you win a road game in a hostile environment.
The red zone efficiency told the story of this offense's maturity: 3-for-4. No settling for field goals when touchdowns are available. No wasted opportunities inside the 20. This is a team that understands situational football, and the coaching staff deserves massive credit for having these guys prepared week in and week out.
The defense bent at times — the Bengals aren't pushovers, and they made some plays — but they never broke. When it mattered most in the fourth quarter, the Pats' defense stiffened and made the stops they needed to preserve the lead. That's what good teams do.
Nine straight, Pats Nation. This isn't a hot streak anymore. This is who this team is. On to Week 13.